December 2010 • First Call 1

Anthony Palladino, Commander December 2010 Jack LaPaglia, Membership

First Call!The American Legion Utica Post 229

Utica Post 229 • 409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502 • 315.793.9377 • www.uticapost229.org

Post Meetings are first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (optional dinner at 6:15)

Welcome Aboard New Members!Jeff rey Hogan

Inside

December

Commander’s Call 2Festive Dinner Dance 2Chaplain’s Corner 3 EMT, Firefi ghter of Year 3Kids Christmas Party 3Veterans Day Tribute 4Welcoming New Citizens 5Final Salute to Flags 5Food Drive for Vets Ctr 6Scholarships Awarded 6Th ey ‘Did Us Proud’ 6Auxiliary News 7Junior Auxiliary 7Veterans Day Photos 8

1 Bloodmobile, noon-52 Post Meeting, 7:30 pm Post Dinner, 6:15 pm4 Dinner Dance, 5:30-126 Junior Auxiliary, 5 pm7 Bingo, 6:30 pm13 Vietnam Vets of Am., 114 Bingo, 6:30 pm15 Bloodmobile, noon-516 Party for nursing home vets, 2 pm, Th e Pines. Executive Board, 7 pm18 Kids Christmas Party, noon to 3 pm19 DAV, noon21 Bingo, 6:30 pm25 MERRY CHRISTMAS28 Bingo, 6:30 pm

Post Honors EMT, Firefighter of Year

Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks praises his firefighters and the post’s “prestigious awards” during Post 229’s awards ceremony at the November membership meeting. From left: Law-and-Order Chair Paul Wojcik, Chief Brooks, EMT of the Year Philip Taurisano, Firefighter of the Year Jeffrey Hogan, and Post Commander Tony Palladino. SEE PAGE 3.

Veterans Day Tribute

Post 229 Color Guard presented the colors for Utica’s Veterans Day tribute Nov. 11 at six monuments. Some 100 people turned out for the wreath-laying and prayer ceremonies, coordinated by Utica Post 229. The Color Guard had a busy November, welcom-ing new citizens at Oneida County naturalization ceremonies Nov. 5, marching as the lead color guard in the Central New York Veterans Parade in Syracuse Nov. 6, and presenting the colors at the 40&8 flag disposal ceremony Nov. 13. SEE PAGES 4-5.

Curtis Greene, Steve Currie, Jim McGuire

Bring Holiday Cheer To Nursing Home Veterans

You can volunteer to bring Christmas cheer to nursing home veterans at 2 p.m. Th ursday, Dec. 16, at Th e Pines at Utica Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (formerly Eden Park), 1800 Butter-fi eld Avenue, Utica.

“We need more mem-bers to help bring Christ-mas goodies and share some cheer with our adopted veterans,” reports Service Offi cer Dave Wilson, who is organizing gift bags.

First Call • December 20102

Commander’s Call Remember Dec. 7; Kudos to Chef, Law-&-Order Chair, Color Guard

Anthony PalladinoMember

Campaign

Jack LaPaglia

We are now at 77%! My responsibility at the

post is to make sure you get your new membership card in a timely fashion. However, if I don’t receive your dues renewal, that cannot be done. Th ere is strength in numbers. Each and every one of us has a responsibility to help our post grow.

We are all on the same team--the post member-ship recruiting team. Let’s make it a banner year, and reach our quota before the end of this month. We’re in the playoff s; now let’s capture the series!

Renew your dues.Sign up a new member.

Ask everyone you know. Ask if they’ve served in the military, and if they have, follow up with “Are you a member of the American Legion?” It doesn’t hurt to ask and it does help your post.

For God and Country.

Never forget our veterans’ sacrifi ces, and especially remember Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7. George Washing-ton once commented that how we remember and treat our veterans will make an impact on the decision by men and woman of today and tomorrow to serve their country. It’s a refl ection of who we are as a people and nation. Never forget. Th ank a vet.

I would like to publicly off er well-deserved kudos to our executive chef, our law-and-order chair, and our color guard.

CHEF FRANCO LaPa-glia has brought new mean-ing to the word “cuisine.” His menu off erings at post meetings and events have become gourmet treats. Th e baked chicken and vodka-sauce penne he served at the Oneida County Le-

gion meeting we hosted in November was a sumptuous feast that may make Post 229 the envy of the county. Th ank you, Franco!

LAW-AND-ORDER Chair Paul Wojcik came through with another out-standing awards ceremony as we honored the EMT and Firefi ghter of the Year at the November meeting. And then he coordinated the moving Veterans Day tribute a few days later. Th ank you, Paul. I salute you!

IT WOULD BE an understatement to say I am proud of the Utica Post 229 Color Guard. Th ese guys perform their roles and duties with enthusiasm and fl are,

and they try to accommodate almost every request they get to participate in an event. Winning a fi rst place award in the New York Department Convention Parade three years in a row is evidence of how well-regarded they are. In fact, the Central New York Veterans Parade in Syracuse invited them to be the lead Color Guard this year. Th ey were the second marching unit, following only the 10th Mountain Division Band from Fort Drum. What an honor, guys! I would like to ask post members to person-ally congratulate and thank the Color Guard team, which includes team captain Mike Cavanaugh, rifl emen Curtis Greene and Bob Pinto, fl ag bearers Steve Currie, Jim McGuire and Dave Valen-tine. Th ank you, team!

Until next time… for God and country.

Jack’s Membership Report for Nov.

Quota: 649Goal: 700Paid to date: 505% of quota: 77%

You can get an early start on celebrating the holidays, with festive food and an evening of dancing, by coming to the Post 229 Din-ner Dance on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Starting at 5:30, sample the hors

d’oeuvres and sip a beverage or two from

the open bar. Th en, at 7 sharp, enjoy a sumptu-ous Christmas Buff et.

Finally, sprint onto the dance fl oor, and kick up your heels from 8 to midnight.

It only costs $18 per person. To reserve a ticket, contact Dinner Dance Chair Rose Co-niglio at 735-9091.

Get Early Start on Holiday Spirit at Post Dinner Dance

M�r�� C��is�ma��n� � He�l��� �n� Pro���r�u�

N�� Ye��!

December 2010 • First Call 3

Bingo CallersBingo volunteers are

needed Tuesday nights. “We especially need

bingo callers,” noted Bingo Chair Jim George. Contact Jim at 749-3058.

Give us, O God, the vision which can see

Your love in the world in spite of human failure

Give us the faith to trust Your goodness

in spite of our ignorance and weakness

Give us the knowledge that we may continue to

pray with undersatanding hearts

And show us that each one of us can do to set

forward the coming of the day of universal peace.

REST IN PEACE

Salvatore P. Saporito Jr.Edwin Sokolowski

David S. LangeneggerJames F. Sgroi

Chaplain’scorner

Paul Wojcik

Utica Post 229 will host a children’s Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. It is open to the children and grandchildren of members (Legion, Auxiliary and SAL), 12 and younger.

Children must be registered in advance. A sign-up sheet is in the post lounge, with a cut-off date of Dec. 7 for reservations. Th e festivities, including lunch, are free for children 12 and younger. Anyone older than 12 may part take in lunch for $3.00.

Sign up Kids For Christmas Fun

MEETING DATESExecutive Board

Give BloodTh e American Red Cross

bloodmobile is at Utica Post 229 every fi rst and third Wednesday of the month from noon to 5 p.m.

Dec. 16Jan. 20Feb. 17

March 17April 21May 19

General MeetingFirst Th ursday

Dec. 2Jan. 6Feb. 3

March 3April 7May 6

A paramedic who par-ticipated in an international exchange and a fi refi ghter who spent two tours of duty in Iraq as a U.S. Marine were honored by Utica Post 229 as Emergency Medical Technician of the Year and Firefi ghter of the Year during ceremonies at the Utica Post Nov. 4. Th e honorees are:

• EMT of the Year Philip Taurisano, a fi refi ghter/para-medic who has been with the Utica Fire Department since Sept. 22, 2000. He became a paramedic in 2002.

• Firefi ghter of the Year Jeff rey Hogan, who has been with the Utica Fire Depart-ment since March 27, 2007.

Calling them “two out-standing individuals,” Fire Chief Russell Brooks said during the awards presenta-tion that they have demon-strated their dedication and courage every day they’re on the job.

Taurisano has been active in an exchange program with Polish paramedics. In 2008 he traveled to Poland and competed in the Polish In-ternational Paramedic Com-petition, taking fi rst place. In 2007 he completed a Tactical

Operational Medical Sup-port Course in Texas; then, in 2008, he took and passed the Sequential Trauma Emergency Preparedness class in Cairo, Egypt, and last year he completed the Criti-cal Care Emergency Medical Transport Program at the University of Maryland.

“If you’re having chest pain, this is the guy you want there,” Chief Brooks quipped of Taurisano.

Hogan, a combat Marine reservist who served in Iraq from August 2004 to March 2005 and again from March 2009 to September 2009, is the fi rst Utica fi refi ghter to graduate from Mohawk Valley Community College’s Associate in Applied Science

Fire Protection Technology Program (in May 2008). His academic performance gained him the President List’s Achievement Award. Th en Hogan went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management from Utica College.

It wasn’t any particular incident that got them nomi-nated for the “prestigious American Legion awards,” Chief Brooks noted. “We measure them by how they perform every day,” he said, citing their courage, dedica-tion and integrity.

Post Commander Anthony Palladino introduced Paul Wojcik, law and order chair, to present the awards. Th e ceremony followed a dinner attended by Legionnaires, auxiliary members, and the families of both honorees.

Post Honors Firefighter & EMT of the Year

Philip Taurisano, left, and Jeffrey Hogan

First Call • December 20104

“I can’t imagine doing any-thing else on Veterans Day,” quipped Col. Gary Howard, a retired Army chaplain, after leading a crowd of some 100 veterans, Gold Star Moth-ers and family members in prayer at six memorials and monuments around Utica.

Colonel Howard, who served three tours in Iraq, and his assistant, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Morrell, have been coming to Utica to honor veterans for the past 12 years.

While visiting the Army Reserve Center on Burrstone Road as a brigade chaplain, he said they became aware of American Legion Post 229’s efforts to coordinate both Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities. “We were so impressed,” he said, that they both decided to become members of the Utica post – even though he is from Johnstown, NY, and Sergeant Morrell is from Philadelphia, PA.

“This is our way to contrib-ute something to a common cause for veterans,” the chap-lain said, adding: “We’ve met some outstanding people. It has been a wonderful experi-ence.”

With Sergeant Morrell declaring that the Lord “is my refuge and my fortress,” Chaplain Howard offered a blessing “in the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” on both living and deceased veterans and their families. After they prayed, the laying of wreaths, the presenting of colors and the playing of taps took place.

Post 229 Color Guard at Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Utica. Saluting at right are Chaplain Col. Gary Howard and Chaplain’s Assistant SFC Timothy Morrell. Color Guard members, from left, are: Curtis Greene, Steve Currie, Jim McGuire and Dave Valentine.

Honoring Vets: ‘Can’t Imagine Doing Anything else’

Legionnaire Carl Yeomans served as master of ceremo-nies.

The first stop was at the Soldiers and Sailors Monu-ment on Oneida Square, where Retired Marine Ser-geant Major Paul Pressor of Utica, Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Leonard Bragg of Floyd and Army National Guard Pvt. 1st Class Ben Driscoll of Utica laid the wreath.

Next were three memorials on the Parkway:

• Vietnam Veterans Me-morial, where Gold Star Mother Shirley Jones, City Court Judge Ralph Eannace and Oneida County Clerk Sandra DePerno laid the wreath.

• the POW-MIA Memo-rial, where the wreath was

laid by Tom Buono of Viet-nam Veterans of America, Joe Fraccola of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Bill Park of the American Legion, Joe Ziemba of Dis-abled American Veterans, and Danny Pieloch of the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV).

• the World War I-World War II-Korean War Monu-ment, where Utica Post 229 Commander Anthony Pal-ladino and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 229 President Theresa Jensen laid the wreath.

Next stop was the Purple Heart Park on Whitesboro Street in West Utica, where Joe Fraccola and Joe Costello of the Military Order of the Purple Heart raised a special “Honor and Remember” flag,

and where the wreath was laid by park co-founder Shir-ley Scialdo, retired Marine Vin Egresits, Oneida County Executive Tony Picente and Congressman-elect Richard Hanna.

The final stop was at the All Veterans Memorial at the Main Post Office on Pitcher Street, where the wreath was laid by Gold Star Mother Shirley Jones, Congressman-elect Richard Hanna, and Tom Buono and Larry Bad-ger of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The Veterans Day activi-ties, chaired by Paul Wojcik, were coordinated by the Utica Post 229, with help from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, PLAV and other veterans groups.

December 2010 • First Call 5

Auxiliary, Color Guard Help Welcome New Citizens

Dave Frankland salutes flags being consumed by flames.

American Legion Auxil-iary Unit 229 and Utica Post 229 Color Guard helped wel-come 32 new citizens during naturalization ceremonies Nov. 5 at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica.

“Today is all about you and home,” the guest speaker, Family Court Judge Joan Teuchert Shkane, told the new citizens. “Home is where we find safety from harm for ourselves and fam-ily. Welcome home.”

She noted that some im-migrants came for religious reasons, some for work, some for food, some for political freedom, some to escape war. There are “many reasons that citizens have come,”

Post 229 Color Guard at naturalization ceremonies.

Auxiliary Member Rose Coniglio was part of the receiving line, handing out souvenir pencils to the new citizens.

Judge Skane said. “Welcome home.”

At the invitation of County Clerk Sandra DePerno, the Color Guard presented the colors and the Auxiliary hosted a reception for the

new citizens, who came from Somalia, Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Columbia, Bur-ma, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Kosovo, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, the Philippines, China and France.

WHITESBORO -- Dave Frankland, a new member of the American Legion, stood at atten-tion and saluted the worn U.S. flags as they were consumed by flames. It was a final salute before he turned to leave.

Frankland, a Vietnam-era Air Force vet, was one of nearly 100 people – veterans, Navy Jr. ROTC cadets from Proctor and Notre Dame High Schools, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and others -- who showed up for the flag disposal ceremony Nov. 13 at Oneida County 40 & 8 Voiture 92, on Judd Road in Whitesboro.

“It’s a respectful ritual,” Voiture 92 Chef de Gare and past Oneida County American Legion Com-mander John Ryan told the crowd. It’s not just a matter of burning the flags, he said, noting that veterans equate that with protes-tors. He said they retire flags with

respect and dignity – much the same way a family says goodbye to a deceased loved one. The ashes of the flags, he noted, are taken to Calvary Cemetery in Utica, and buried with a veteran.

The ceremony began by retiring the flag on the 40 & 8 flag pole, and unfurling a new one. Proctor JROTC Cadets William Cornette and Franklin Guevara carried the retired flag, followed by the Post 229 Color Guard, through an honor cordon of JROTC cadets, with swords arched high. The retired flag, representing an esti-mated 15,000 flags being disposed of, was brought to 40 & 8 officers for inspection and prayer. Then the cadets placed the flag in a steel burn pit. Veterans and cadets came to attention and saluted as Proc-tor JROTC bugler Eugene Falvo played taps… and as Ryan set the flag aflame.

Veterans Give Final Salute to 15,000 U.S. Flags

John Ryan salutes Old Glory before setting it aflame.

First Call • December 20106

Bingo Workers

• Albert Alteri. • Stu Bailey. • Frank Cassella. • Mike Cavanaugh. • Pat Dodge. • Walt Fisher. • Jim Haggerty. • Al Kohler. • Dave Manore.

• Jim McGuire.• Phil Capraro.• Tom O’Toole. • Dan & Virginia

Pieloch. • Tony Palladino. • Chris Urban. • Vin Zaleski. • Wayne Dapre.

DONATIONS: Utica Unit $75, House of Good Shepherd $150, Th e Pines $73.00.EXPENSES: Garbage $176.00, First Call $638.78, Insurance $419.00.

Bingo ReportDate Income Prizes Expenses 3% Profi t

10/5/10 $3138.00 $2151.00 0.00 29.61 957.39

10/12/10 3452.00 2192.00 0.00 37.80 1222.20

10/19/10 2849.00 2064.00 0.00 23.55 761.45

10/26/10 2961.00 2084.00 0.00 26.31 850.69

• Paul Wojcik. • Rich Maloon. • Jack LaPagliay. • Scott Sebastian• Evelyn Muench. • Ben Price. • Chuck Daily. • Jim George. • Frank Jakubowski.

JROTC Color GuardCadets from Notre Dame High School’s Naval Jr. ROTC program posted the colors at the opening of the November general member-ship meeting, much to the ap-preciation of ev-eryone present.

Utica Post 229 is sponsoring a food drive through the end of De-cember for the Veterans Outreach Center (located in the former YMCA building on Washing-ton Street in downtown Utica).

“We’re accepting non-

Food Drive for Veterans Outreach Centerperishable goods as well as utensils like silverware and can openers,” noted Post Adjutant Jim George, who is chairing the drive.

Donations may be dropped off at the Post (409 Herkimer Rd., Utica). A food drive box is inside the entrance.

Th e outreach center pro-vides assistance to veterans having diffi culty assimilat-ing back into society as well as jobless and homeless veterans.

Th e center provides food to hungry veterans, and needs donations for its food pantry, George noted.

Drop Off Non-Perishables at Post Utica Post Awards 5 Scholarships

Th e Utica Post 229 Schol-arship Committee has se-lected the following students to receive $500 scholarship awards, Chair Vincent Za-leski announced.

• Th omas Ciglio of Utica, Harold Foley Memorial Scholarship.

• Miranda Constantine of Utica, Raymond Sinnott Memorial Scholarship.

• Ryan Donovan of Utica, Richard Raymond Memorial Scholarship.

• Kristina Bushey of Utica, Vincent Gilroy Memorial Scholarship.

• St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, Floyd Gilmore Memorial Scholarship.

Monetary awards will be distributed upon receipt of transcript from the students’ college or university.

Color Guard ‘Did Us Proud’By PAT DODGE

Once again the Post 229 Color Guard has brought honor to the Post. Th ey presented the colors at the naturalization ceremony held Fri-day, November 5, at the Oneida County Offi ce building. Th ey did us proud.

Afterward, everyone who came into the recep-tion, including the employees of the county, were asking where they were from and we proudly told everyone -- from our Post 229.

Th anks, fellows, for being there for us again.Mike Cavanaugh, Curtis Greene, Steve Currie

December 2010 • First Call 7

AuxiliaryTheresa Jensen, president

President’s MessageTheresa Jensen

We’re Over 50% TowardMember Goal

Chaplain’scorner

Gail Greco

Unfolding Th e Rosebud

It is only a tiny rosebud,A fl ower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine.

Th e secret of unfolding fl owersIs not known to such as I.

God opens this fl ower so sweetly, When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,Th en how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?So, I’ll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every day.I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.Th e pathway that lies before me, Only my heavenly Father knows. I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose. ~ Bryan T. Burgess ~

If anyone knows of a death or illness, please notify me.

By ROSE A. CONIGLIO

Our membership quota for 2011 is 244. As of early November, we have 144 paid members, which means we’re more than 50 percent toward our goal.

Please get your 2011 dues in as soon as possible. If you are behind on your 2010 dues, you need to pay those before I can accept your 2011 dues.

JOIN ME IN welcoming these new members:

• Linda J. Magee• Francine A. Sansone

PLEASE SEND your dues to:

Rose A. Coniglio607 Jay St., Apt. C2

Utica, NY 13501

Thank you for Giving Kids a Fun Day

Merry Christmas

Dear Auxiliary Members,

I hope your Th anksgiving was blessed with family, friends and plenty of good food.

With Christmas upon us, we are all busy and stressed. Ladies take some time for yourselves and enjoy a blessed holiday.

Our veterans are very special to us. Remember they sacrifi ced their lives for our country and we need to THANK them. Remember them during this holiday season with a holiday card.

I’d also like to thank all the Auxiliary volunteers for everything they do to help our unit. It is very much ap-preciated.

Don’t forget our December meeting; bring a dessert to share. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year.

See you next year.

Th ank you to Triple Coun-tryside Produce in Schulyer for donating 20 pumpkins for the kids Halloween Party, and to Byrne Dairy and Burger King for helping with refreshments.

Th ank you to the Ziyara Shrine clowns for bringing zany cheer to the children, and to all the Auxiliary, Post and SAL volunteers who made it a fun day for the children.

-- Eleanor King, chair

Th e Junior Auxiliary will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, at the Post. Th e Ju-nior Auxiliary is designed for daughters, granddaughters and girl relatives of veterans. Girls, ages 5 to teen, are invited to join. Refreshments will be availabe.

Any member of the post or auxiliary who would like to register a daughter or grand-daughter should contact Mary Stronach at 796-9284. Veterans

who are not presently mem-bers and would like a daugh-ter or granddaughter to get involved, may call Stronach to get details on the program and on membership.

Th e girls will be involved in service projects and fun activ-ities. Projects are designed to help the girls develop a variety of skills and to grow in their patriotism. Girls who excel in diff erent projects may become eligible for special awards.

Jr. Auxiliary Meets Dec. 6; Fun Activities, Service Projects

First Call • December 20108

Utica Post #229The American Legion

409 Herkimer Rd.Utica, NY 13502

First Call is a monthly publication of Utica Post 229 American Legion,

409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502, whose mission is to serve veterans, members and local communities.

Yearly membership includes First Call, published 10 times a year.

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-PAID-Utica, NY

Permit No. 566

Editor: Robert Stronach. Send news, announcements and photos to FirstCall@uticapost229.org.

Since its founding in Paris in 1919, The American Legion has been an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the U.S. military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young people and a spokesman for patriotic values.

UTICA VETERANS DAY CANDIDS